Deriving the harmony of Back to Black

Amy Winehouse as all great composers of the last at least 4 centuries uses the Bach-Niedt code [Bach].


The principle of least change in music is used which may be said to be implemented by the Bach-Niedt composition manual [Bach].


Contrary perhaps to intuition great changes produce results that sound like cheap kindergarten music. For example going from D F A to G B D.


Whereas least change produces beautiful and sofisticated results as notes from previous chords may flow into the next one, preparing the human brain on "disconant" to come intervals and making them sound like heaven on earth. For example (left hand D, right hand D F A) and then (left hand of bass Bb, right hand the same ie D F A).


As an elementary summary we may state that the Bach code is to prepare for example the 7th or 9th interval with respect to bass from the previous chords or by any other way and when bass changes on the next chord adding by another part the 3rd. For example:


Bass           Harmony
D                 D  F  A         (F is being prepared for next chord)
G                 D  F  Bb       (the 3rd from bass is Bb added)


Do not worry about sharps or flats. They are automatically derived from the scale or key used.


All one needs to know is the 7 keyboard white or natural notes CDEFGAB and reference all intervals with respect to bass from them.


So here is as an example how the harmony of Back to Black - Amy Winehouse can be derived:


The numbered bass or bass code [Bach] is:


D
G7
B7
A


And that's it. All this beautiful song is derived from just this 4 line repeating code.


How?


It is very easy.


The scale or key is D minor. This means all B are B flat. The scale is D E F G A Bb C D.


Combining the rules 1 3 5, least change or prepared 7ths etc we have:


Try to figure it out before looking:


Bass Code        Bass          Harmony
D means            D                D F A
G7 means          G                D F Bb
B7 means          Bb               D F A
A(3#)                A                C# E A


So these are the chords or harmony taint repeat from Begining to end.


How do these notes come about? It may heard to think or 1 3 5 7 9 11 13. For example B bass and B D F A (we do not have to use everything). So Bb bass and D F A.


If you listen carefully the backing vocals must be singing these same chords as derived above.


For a perhaps more detailed derivation from bass code to harmony, see next post in Hellenic.






















Reference:


Bach Bass Rules or Instructions of Bach in four part harmony to his Scholars in Music:


https://normanschmidt.net/scores/bachjs-general_bass_rules.pdf